Wire clearance apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A wire clearance apparatus is provided. The wire clearance apparatus includes a body. The body includes a clamp operable to releasably attach the body to a flange or rim of a panel housing. A pivoting member extends laterally from the body. The pivoting member includes a pivoting arm including a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the pivoting arm is connected to the body. The pivoting arm is operable to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the body. The distal end of the pivoting arm includes a hook.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/319,087, filed Apr. 6, 2016, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to clearance of wires and, more particularly, to a wire clearance apparatus and method.

During the installation of new services and upgrades within a panel or switch gear, wires are hanging in front of the bus bars and service entrance wires. The hanging wires create a dangerous work area and make it difficult to access the neutral or ground bars. Leaving a clutter of wires hanging freely in the work area may result in wires being pushed or bumped into the energized bus bars, and main wires which could result in an explosion. The current method of securing the wires out of the work area includes tying the wires together, using plastic zip-ties or using tape.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved method of moving wires away from energized parts of a panel or switch gear and the work area of telecommunication enclosures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a wire clearance apparatus comprises: a body comprising a clamp operable to releasably attach the body to a panel housing; and a pivoting member extending laterally from the body, wherein the pivoting member comprises a pivoting arm comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is connected to the body and operable to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the body, and the distal end comprises a hook formed by at least one bend. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of clearing wires comprises the steps of: clamping a first wire clearance apparatus to a first side flange of a panel housing, wherein the first wire clearance apparatus comprises a first pivoting arm comprising a first hook portion; clamping a second wire clearance apparatus to a second side flange of the panel housing opposite the first side flange, wherein the second wire clearance apparatus comprises a second pivoting arm comprising a second hook portion; placing a left set of wires into the left hook portion; placing a right set of wires into the right hook portion; after removing an outer jacket from wire, rotating the first pivoting arm away from the panel housing, thereby clearing the first set of wires from an internal portion of the panel housing; and rotating the second pivoting arm away from the panel housing, thereby clearing the second set of wires from the internal portion of the panel housing.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a section detail view of the present invention taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a section detail view of the present invention taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a wire clearance apparatus. The wire clearance apparatus ensures that wires are kept away and clear from electrically energized parts in an electrical panel or switch gear. The present invention holds the wires away from the work area in an orderly manner until the electrician is ready to connect them one at a time, thus, leaving the entire work space in the panel or switch gear open and free for easy and safe accessibility. The present invention prevents electrical shorts or other accidents from occurring and helps to organize telecommunication wires while being installed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention includes a wire clearance apparatus 10. The wire clearance apparatus 10 includes a body 12. The body 12 includes a clamp 12 a operable to releasably attach the body 12 to a flange 44 or rim of a panel housing 42. A pivoting member 23 extends laterally from the body 12. The pivoting member 23 includes a pivoting arm 24 including a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the pivoting arm 24 is connected to the body 12. The pivoting arm 24 is operable to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the body 12. The distal end of the pivoting arm 24 includes a hook 25 formed by a first bend 25 a and a second bend 25 b forming a U-shape.

The clamp 12 a of the present invention may include a first pair of panels 13 a and a second pair of panels 13 b. The first pair of panels 13 a are vertically disposed and form a first slot 14 a therebetween. The second pair of panels 13 b are vertically disposed and form a second slot 14 b therebetween. The first slot 14 a and the second slot 14 b are perpendicular relative to one another. This allows the present invention to be clamped to different types of panel housings 42.

One of the first pair of panels 13 a includes an upper first slot 16 and a lower first slot 16. An upper first threaded grommet 30 a having a threaded female opening is fixedly secured within the upper first slot 16 and a lower first threaded grommet 30 b having a threaded female opening is fixedly secured within the lower first slot 16. The present invention further includes an upper first thumb screw 34 a and a lower first thumb screw 34 b. The upper first thumb screw 34 a and the lower first thumb screw 34 a each include a knob and a threaded shaft. The threaded shaft of the upper first thumb screw 34 a is rotatably disposed within the upper first threaded grommet 30 a. The threaded shaft of the lower first thumb screw 34 b is rotatably disposed within the lower first threaded grommet 30 b. To secure the body 12 to the flange 44, the flange 44 is placed within the first slot 14 a. The knob of both of the upper first thumb screw 34 a and the lower first thumb screw 34 b are rotated so that the threaded shafts apply pressure against the flange 44 and secure the body 12 to the panel housing 42.

One of the second pair of panels 13 b includes an upper second slot 16 and a lower second slot 16. An upper second threaded grommet 30 c having a threaded female opening is fixedly secured within the upper second slot 16 and a lower second threaded grommet 30 d having a threaded female opening is fixedly secured within the lower second slot 16. The present invention further includes an upper second thumb screw 34 c and a lower second thumb screw 34 d. The upper second thumb screw 34 c and the lower second thumb screw 34 d each include a knob and a threaded shaft. The threaded shaft of the upper second thumb screw 34 c is rotatably disposed within the upper second threaded grommet 30 c. The threaded shaft of the lower second thumb screw 34 d is rotatably disposed within the lower second threaded grommet 30 d. To secure the body 12 to the flange 44, the flange 44 is placed within the second slot 14 b. The knob of both of the upper second thumb screw 34 c and the lower second thumb screw 34 d are rotated so that the threaded shafts apply pressure against the flange 44 and secure the body 12 to the panel housing 42.

The body 12 of the present invention may further include a connector portion 12 b connected to the pivoting member 23. The connector portion 12 b includes a body arm 18 extending laterally from the clamp 12 a. A body shaft 20 is fixedly secured to the body arm 18. The body shaft 20 includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion includes a bottom surface having a plurality of radially spaced teeth 22. A first channel 21 a is disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body shaft 20 running from the top portion to the bottom portion.

The pivoting member 23 includes an arm shaft 26 and the pivoting arm 24. The arm shaft 26 includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a top surface having a plurality of radially spaced teeth 28. A second channel 21 b is disposed along a longitudinal axis of the arm shaft 26 and runs from the top portion to the bottom portion of the arm shaft 26. A threaded insert 32 is fixedly secured within the second channel 21 b at the bottom portion. The pivoting arm 24 includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the pivoting arm 24 extends laterally from the arm shaft 26. The first channel 21 a aligns with the second channel 21 b. The plurality of radially spaced teeth 28 of the arm shaft 26 interlock with the plurality of radially spaced teeth 22 of the body shaft 20.

The present invention further includes an arm screw 36. The arm screw 36 includes a knob 36 a and a shaft 36 b. The shaft 36 b includes a proximal end extending from the knob 36 a and a distal end having a male threaded portion. The shaft 36 b runs through the first channel 21 a and the second channel 21 b. The male threaded portion mechanically fastens to the threaded insert 32 of the bottom portion of the arm shaft 26. A clip 40 releasably secures to the distal end of the shaft of the arm screw 26.

A method of clearing wires may include the steps of: clamping a first wire clearance apparatus 10 to a first side flange 44 of a panel housing 42, wherein the first wire clearance apparatus 10 includes a first pivoting arm 24 having a first hook 25; clamping a second wire clearance apparatus 10 to a second side flange 44 of the panel housing 42 opposite the first side flange 44, wherein the second wire clearance apparatus 10 includes a second pivoting arm 24 having a second hook 25; placing a first set of wires 46 into the first hook 25; placing a second set of wires 46 into the second hook 25; rotating the first pivoting arm 24 away from the panel housing 42, thereby clearing the first set of wires 46 from an internal portion of the panel housing 42; and rotating the second pivoting arm 24 away from the panel housing 42, thereby clearing the second set of wires 46 from the internal portion of the panel housing 42. The wire clearance apparatuses 10 may be placed approximately eight inches up to twelve inches from the top of the panel housing 42.

The steps of clamping the first and second wire clearance apparatuses may include the following steps: placing the first side flange 44 within one of the slots 13 a, 13 b of the first wire clearance apparatus; rotating the knobs of the thumb screws 34 clockwise until pressure is being applied from the shafts to the flange 44; placing the second side flange 44 within one of the slots 13 a, 13 b of the second wire clearance apparatus 10; and rotating the knobs of the thumb screws 34 clockwise until pressure is being applied from the shafts to the flange 44. The steps of rotating the first pivoting arm and the second pivoting arm may further include the following steps: unscrewing the arm screw 36 by rotating the knob 36 a of the arm screw 36 counter clockwise to separate the interlocking teeth 22, 28; rotating the arm shaft 26 relative to the body shaft 20; and screwing the arm screw 36 back by rotating the knob 36 a of the arm screw 36 clockwise, thereby clamping the arm shaft 26 and the body shaft 20 together and interlocking the teeth 22, 28.

The parts of the present invention may be made with plastic or composite material (non-conductive). The threaded inserts and threaded grommets may be brass and are embedded in the clamp. The pivoting member may be a bar shaped metal, plastic or other composite material that is strong enough to support branch circuit wires or telecommunication wires. The pivoting member is bent in a shape to restrain wires from moving back to the center and work area.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wire clearance apparatus comprising: a body comprising a clamp operable to releasably attach the body to a panel housing; and a pivoting member extending laterally from the body, wherein the pivoting member comprises a pivoting arm comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is connected to the body and operable to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the body, and the distal end comprises a hook formed by at least one bend.
 2. The wire clearance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises: a first pair of panels vertically disposed and forming a first slot therebetween; at least one first threaded female opening formed through at least one of the first pair of panels; and at least one first thumb screw comprising a first threaded shaft rotatably disposed within the at least one first threaded female opening.
 3. The wire clearance apparatus of claim 2, wherein the clamp further comprises: a second pair of panels vertically disposed and forming a second slot therebetween, wherein the second slot is perpendicular relative to the first slot; at least one second threaded female opening formed through at least one of the second pair of panels; and at least one second thumb screw comprising a second threaded shaft rotatably disposed within the at least one second threaded female opening.
 4. The wire clearance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a connector portion connected to the pivoting member.
 5. The wire clearance apparatus of claim 4, wherein the connector portion comprises: a body arm extending laterally from the clamp; and a body shaft fixedly secured to the body arm and comprising a top portion, a bottom portion comprising a bottom surface comprising a plurality of radially spaced teeth, and a first channel disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body shaft, running from the top portion to the bottom portion.
 6. The wire clearance apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pivoting member further comprises: an arm shaft comprising a top portion comprising a top surface comprising a plurality of radially spaced teeth, a bottom portion, and a second channel disposed along a longitudinal axis of the arm shaft running from the top portion to the bottom portion of the arm shaft, and a threaded insert fixedly secured within the second channel at the bottom portion, wherein the proximal end of the pivoting arm extends laterally from the arm shaft, the first channel aligns with the second channel, and the plurality of radially spaced teeth of the arm shaft interlock with the plurality of radially spaced teeth of the body shaft.
 7. The wire clearance apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an arm screw comprising a knob and a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a proximal end extending from the knob and a distal end comprising a male threaded portion, wherein the shaft runs through the first channel and the second channel, and the male threaded portion mechanically fastens to the threaded insert.
 8. The wire clearance apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a clip releasably secured to the distal end of the shaft of the arm screw.
 9. The wire clearance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one bend comprises a first bend and a second bend in a same direction as the first bend, wherein the first bend and the second bend form a U-shape.
 10. A method of clearing wires comprising the steps of: clamping a first wire clearance apparatus to a first side flange of a panel housing, wherein the first wire clearance apparatus comprises a first pivoting arm comprising a first hook portion; clamping a second wire clearance apparatus to a second side flange of the panel housing opposite the first side flange, wherein the second wire clearance apparatus comprises a second pivoting arm comprising a second hook portion; placing a first set of wires into the first hook portion; placing a second set of wires into the second hook portion; rotating the first pivoting arm away from the panel housing, thereby clearing the first set of wires from an internal portion of the panel housing; and rotating the second pivoting arm away from the panel housing, thereby clearing the second set of wires from the internal portion of the panel housing. 